Safeguarding Adults

NHS Warwickshire North Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is committed to safeguarding the well-being of adults in receipt of services that it commissions. As a signatory of the Adult Protection Policy and Safeguarding Adults: Multi-Agency Policy and Procedures for the West Midlands and member of the local Safeguarding Adults Board, Warwickshire North CCG ensures that staff have appropriate policies, procedures, training and access to expert advice to ensure that adults at risk are identified and, where necessary, in receipt of appropriate protection.

What is ‘safeguarding adults’?All staff within health services have a responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of patients and colleagues.

Living a life that is free from harm and abuse is a fundamental human right of every person and an essential requirement for health and well-being. Safeguarding adults is about the safety and wellbeing of all patients, but providing additional measures for those least able to protect themselves from harm or abuse.

has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) and;

is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect; and

as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

A person aged 18 or over who need extra help to manage their lives and be independent. This may include:

people with a learning disability or physical disability;

people with mental health needs;

people with sensory needs;

people with cognitive needs, e.g. acquired brain injury;

people who are experiencing short or long term illness.

However, it is important to note that inclusion in one of the above groups does not necessarily mean that a person is implicitly unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect.

The Care Act guidance 2014 describes “care & support” as-

“The mixture of practical, financial and emotional support for adults who need extra help to manage their lives and be independent – including older people, people with a disability or long-term illness, people with mental health problems, and carers. Care and support includes assessment of people’s needs, provision of services and the allocation of funds to enable a person to purchase their own care and support. It could include care home, home care, personal assistants, day services, or the provision of aids and adaptations.”

How do I raise a safeguarding alert?Contact Warwickshire County Council or Coventry City Council to make an alert on the details below: